Developing perseverance

2 Corinthians 11:8-9 - "We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves, but on God, who raises the dead."

Colossians 1:11 - "being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, "

The word 'perseverance' is sometimes defined as 'courage stretched out', a good and brief analogy. Although God sometimes takes you out of difficult or painful circumstances, he often calls you to be courageous and faithful to him in the midst of huge trials and tribulations. According to the Bible, perseverance is not only enduring difficult situations but also overcoming them with obedience, hope and joy. If you don't learn to persevere through your struggles, you will simply develop the habit of giving up. But when you persevere until you come out on the other side, you grow stronger in faith, you see the benefits of obedience to God, and you develop greater confidence in the knowledge that when problems arise again you can get through them.

James 5:11 - "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy."

Perseverance in good works does not produce salvation. In fact it is perseverance in doing good that is the evidence of your faith in God being real.

Through patient perseverance, you become more like Jesus. Jesus-like qualities begin to develop and grow in you. Becoming more like Jesus is important, not only for you but also for others, to show them what being a Christian is all about.

James 1:3 - "because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance."

Perseverance turns adversity into maturity. There is no point in suffering for the sake of suffering when there is the opportunity to persevere through adversity. This will lead to maturity, and growth is positive and life changing.